Mystery body identified after media appeal

2:48pm Friday 4th July 2008

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Essex police have today confirmed the identity of a man whose body was found on public ground in Harlow last month.

The badly decomposed body of Peter Bushell, 46, from Harlow was discovered by a dogwalker by a tree close to the River Stort navigation, off Fifth Avenue on 19 June.

Despite carrying out a fingertip search of the local area, investigators were unable to find clues to the mans identity, but after an appeal by the Citizen and other local media members of the public had contacted the coroners office with Mr Bushell's name.

Police confirmed that they are still investigating the cause of death of Mr Bushell, who lived locally, but it is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesman for Essex police said: "following an succesful appeal by local media outlets, readers of local newspapers contacted the coronors office and the man has now been identified."

He added: "Essex police would like to thank the media for their significant assistance in this case."

An inquest into Mr Bushell's death will be opened and closed later today.